The truth about bats and viruses
Students will answer questions about the Science News article “Why bat viruses are so dangerous,” which explores how the animals’ immune defenses might lead to killer human pathogens.
A bat’s antiviral defenses let it safely carry viruses that can cause deadly outbreaks in other animals. One example is the Marburg virus, a close relative of Ebola that comes from Egyptian fruit bats (pictured), which causes severe bleeding and organ failure.
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This guide will help students understand how viruses in other animals can infect people, sometimes leading to epidemics or pandemics. In a group activity, students will imagine they are health officials developing action plans to prevent or stop an epidemic.